NCJ Number
51108
Journal
Conflict Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 21-48
Date Published
1978
Length
28 pages
Annotation
A SET OF PRINCIPLES ON HOW TO SURVIVE THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A HOSTAGE ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
IN ORDER TO AVOID A KIDNAPPING, A PERSON IN AN EXECUTIVE POSITION SHOULD ALTER HABITS AND ADHERE TO AN ERRATIC SCHEDULE TO MAKE ATTACK MORE DIFFICULT. PERSONS IN HIGH-RISK POSITIONS FOR KIDNAPPING, SHOULD HEED ANY WARNING SIGNALS THAT THEY ARE MONITORED. IN THE CASE OF AN ATTACK, THE VICTIM SHOULD AVOID RESISTANCE, SINCE IT IS LIKELY TO INCREASE THE CHANCES OF INJURY OR DEATH. THE POLITICAL HOSTAGE IS LIKELY TO BE SEIZED IN A SKYJACKING SITUATION, IN A PUBLIC SITUATION WHERE GUNMEN TAKE HOSTAGES AND BARRICADE THEMSELVES AGAINST POLICE OR IN AN AMBUSH SITUATION IN WHICH THE VICTIM IS HIDDEN. HOSTAGES SHOULD RESTRAIN FROM SAYING OR DOING ANYTHING THAT DISTRACTS OR UPSETS THE CAPTORS AND SHOULD TRY TO RELAX AFTER THE INITIAL CAPTURE. KIDNAP HOSTAGES SHOULD LIKEWISE ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THEIR PATIENCE, TEMPER, AND COURAGE. IT IS NOTED THAT KIDNAP VICTIMS ARE SELDOM ABUSED PHYSICALLY, BUT LIVING CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE POOR. VICTIMS' REACTIONS TO ATTACK ARE CONSIDERED, AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF HOSTAGE IMPRISONMENT ARE DISCUSSED. THE VICTIM SHOULD ESTABLISH A METHOD FOR MEASURING TIME, SET UP A CALENDAR, AND ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF ACTIVITIES TO KEEP SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH SOCIETY. SEVERAL TERRORIST TYPES ARE DESCRIBED TO ALERT POSSIBLE HOSTAGES TO BEHAVIOR ADAPTATION NEEDED TO NEUTRALIZE HOSTILITY. THE POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION PROCESS THAT SOMETIMES OCCURS BETWEEN CAPTORS AND HOSTAGES IS DESCRIBED, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIPATHY AND AGGRESSIVE HOSTILITY BY THE HOSTAGES OR CAPTORS TOWARDS THE OTHER PARTY IS ALSO DISCUSSED. WAYS OF CONTROLLING THESE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IDENTIFICATION PROCESSES ARE CONSIDERED. IN SOME SITUATIONS THE HOSTAGE WILL CONDONE THE TERRORISTS' CAUSE OR ADMIRE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE. REASONS FOR THIS BEHAVIOR ARE CONSIDERED ALONG WITH EXAMPLES OF THIS OCCURRENCE. (DAG)